Vietnamese runner bags double golds at Asian Grand Prix Series 2019

Vietnamese star runner Quach Thi Lan has wrapped up the 2019 Asian Grand Prix Series with success, as she bagged two gold medals in the women’s 400m from the two-leg event in Chongqing, China.

Quach Thi Lan has proved her dominance in the continental arena in women’s 400m and 400m hurdles events.
Quach Thi Lan has proved her dominance in the continental arena in women’s 400m and 400m hurdles events.

After crossing the finish line to win gold in the first leg on Tuesday, Lan once again finished first in the second leg - the final round of the 2019 Asian Grand Prix Series - on Friday to finish with double golds in the 400m at the event.

Just like in the first round, the runner from Thanh Hoa province didn’t face any trouble in qualifying runs for the 400m event in the second round. During the final race, Lan had an advantageous starting phase and then maintained a safe distance from her strong opponents who were from host China, Sri Lankan and Kazakhstan to finish first in 52’29. The time she finished in was even faster than the previous gold Lan won in the first round (52’63).

It is quite unfortunate for Lan that the 400m hurdles event that brought her a gold medal at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships in Qatar in April wasn’t included in this tournament in China.

Bui Thi Thu Thao wins the gold medal in long jump event.

Vietnam also won another gold medal in the women’s long jump thanks to Asian Games winner Bui Thi Thu Thao, despite only reaching 6.32m. It is considered a good achievement for the Hanoian athlete after a long time out of action as she underwent rehabilitation for an injury. Thao also secured a bronze in the same event in the first leg with a jump of 6.34m.

The Vietnamese athletes bagged three gold medals during the tournament. Vietnam sent 16 competitors to the event which is in fact a qualifying event for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan.